India pushes environmentally destructive policies amid the pandemic
The government has also announced an ambitious plan to “unleash coal” by auctioning large tracts of coal-rich lands and dense forests in multiple states across central and eastern India. Several of the 41 coal blocks on the list are on lands which are also home to marginalised Adivasi (indigenous) and forest-dependent communities.
Inquiry into racism in B.C. health care must hear from two-spirit people, nurse says
The Canadian Public Health Association said in 2018 those who experience racism “exhibit poorer health outcomes, including negative mental health outcomes, negative physical health outcomes and negative health-related behaviours.”
Dame said he has experienced racial discrimination at walk-in clinics in the Lower Mainland and at hospitals, adding that when two-spirit people are treated in such a fashion it can keep them from seeking medical help in the future.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/two-spirit-health-care-racism-1.5673956
Waterways program aids Indigenous youth
Lavallee said kids love the program and everyone comes back again. A spiritual connection arises when many paddle. They’re in nature and doing something physical. The senses are engaged and that opens up the spirit.
In some communities Waterways Canada visits, there are plenty of canoes and people live right on the water, but the children do not know how to safely paddle. Now they can engage with their roots and experience many of the old traditions. That opens up possibilities to delve into their language, culture and history.
Gender+ panel discuss the value of race-based data as a tool of justice in response to COVID-19
Similarly, in March, Skye also discovered discrepancies in federal data around Indigenous cases — finding that the total number of reported cases between two Indigenous communities was more than the total cases of Indigenous people nationally reported by the federal government. In her work, Skye expressed the importance of community reported data that was available to Indigenous people.
“As of yesterday, the federal government has reported only 315 cases and 6 deaths of Indigenous people. This is very concerning because we see the systemic gaps in data collection and how it is underreporting the cases of COVID data. [This undermines] Indigenous sovereignty and our community’s ability to mobilize mutual aid networks [as well as our ability to] decide for ourselves what responses are needed within the community.”
https://www.ubyssey.ca/culture/gender-research-covid-19/
Kanesatake confirms its first 5 cases of COVID-19
As a result of the positive cases, the Riverside Elders Home closed its doors to visitors again until further notice. The home had recently reopened to visitors, working with the ERU to develop regulations for families to safely visit the residents.
“As soon as we received word of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in our community, we shut it down again to make sure that they don’t get sick and stay healthy,” said Bonspiel.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/kanesatake-first-covid-19-cases-1.5673594
Award-winning Native American fashion brand and designer, Aconav, makes masks
Loren Aragon, who owns the business along with his wife Valentina, said Aconav’s masks meet CDC standards and are also washable and reusable.
Aragon has a background in engineering and has been applying the engineering toward the masks. He said the Aconav masks are wider than most masks and are more comfortable than because of that design.
https://www.nhonews.com/news/2020/aug/04/award-winning-native-american-fashion-brand-and-de/
Feds provide more than $7 million for northwest First Nations’ COVID-19 response
The money is part of more than $40 million provided to First Nations and indigenous organizations within B.C. and was first announced in late March as preparations to deal with the pandemic intensified.
Individual allocations were based on a core grant of $50,000 and population within First Nations communities as determined by the 2016 census. The latter also took into account remoteness from services and a wellness index based on income, education, housing and employment.
MAPPING CASES IN INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
Mapping cases of Covid-19 in Indigenous communities across Canada is vital to be able to analyze the spread of the virus, and understand how this pandemic disproportionately affects populations. In Canada, gathering race based data only began in May, in the province of Manitoba, leading to underreported and misrepresented cases in the media. Indigenous communities have a right to know what is happening in their community, and this data is important for them to be able to respond efficiently and effectively to the pandemic. We have been using various news sources to gather information on reported cases in Indigenous communities, and mapping this data, in an effort to provide this vital information. Although this list is not exhaustive, we hope to continue to be able to gather this information to the best of our ability, and share it so that communities are able to make well informed decisions to protect themselves, and their neighbours.
Brazil: From pandemic to genocide
But oppressed people are doing everything they can to resist. Community groups in Brazil’s favelas are organizing to provide aid; labor unions and social organizations are pushing for Bolsonaro’s removal from office; and Indigenous organizers have brought their fight for sovereignty to the international stage. It’s vital the working class and oppressed in the U.S. and around the world act in solidarity with their struggle.
How to ethically support First Nations artists during COVID
Lockdown has been hard,’ she admits. ‘We had our calendar mapped out for the year, with workshops, exhibitions and deadlines. With coronavirus, all of that changed.’She adds that without support, things would have been even tougher. ‘You draw your strength from your home, your family, and your surroundings. That’s what builds you up, to continue your journey.’ And now that lockdown is easing in some parts of the country, resilient artist are emerging with renewed purpose and they’re relying on audiences for support.
Their message is clear: make sure you buy from sources that treat First Nations artists fairly and transparently.